With Recent Burst of Business Additions and Interest, White Oaks Plans Second Retail Strip Building

Last year and even a bit prior to that, the developers of White Oaks were experiencing a bit of a lull when it came to activity on the retail front. What particularly made it concerning was that the development had the new White Oaks Retail Village Building up and had space ready to go.

Fast forward to this year and, according to Ron Stanley (the managing member of High Tech Corridor Development, the group responsible for development of White Oaks), things are headed in quite a different direction.

Not only has Stanley been able to recently announce the addition of Hermosilla’s Deli and Bonnie Belle’s Pastries to the retail strip, he said the lull is gone. In fact, it’s gone to the point that more big things could soon be happening.

“We’re seeing a level of interest increase in the park in general,” said Stanley. “This spring, though, is much different than last year. People are coming daily with interest and they’re looking for retail space, restaurant space and office space, which is in stark contrast to last year.

“It was slower last year,” Stanley continued. “I think personally a lot of the reason we’re seeing the increase in interest and actual new business is it appears oil and gas is making a comeback. That had been a large part of the economy and with it showing new life we’re seeing new interest.”

Stanley’s words aren’t hyperbole. In fact, High Tech Corridor Development will soon be putting its money where its confidence is. Stanley said plans are in the works to construct the second retail strip at the development just off of Jerry Dove Drive and Interstate 79.

“We’re looking at a building that would most likely house four businesses, but it could be three,” said Stanley. “The buildout would be about 8,500 square feet.”

The current retail building covers 14,410 square feet meaning the new one will be substantially smaller. The build out of the shell of the structure came in at $850,000, but the total construction value to date is much higher. Bridgeport Community Development Director Randy Spellman said that since the addition of new businesses to the first building – Cody’s, McFly Outdoors and the White Oaks Salon are currently open – that the construction value now is at $1.4 million.

The exact amount of businesses that could occupy the new building isn’t the only thing not set in stone. The location of the new building also hasn’t been officially decided. However, it will be located in Phase I of the project and that phase stretches from the main entrance of White Oaks to the area of the new Dominion building.

“We have approximately areas left in phase 1, all of which would be suitable for restaurants, office or retail. Some of those parcels are better fits than others depending on the business in question,” said Stanley. “We already have very serious interest in the building we plan on building.”

Stanley said no names of new businesses would be revealed until such time as a lease is signed. However, he said the most serious group that’s interested is a restaurant, along with another eatery.

“It is serious interest and not just a casual conversation. I can tell you they are more national and regional in nature,” said Stanley.

Editor's Note: Top photo shows the sign for the current retail center at White Oaks, while the main entrance sign to the development is shown below.